Aquatic amusement apparatus.



PATBNTED JUNE 26, 1906.

R. A. POWDEN. I AQUATIC AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLIOATIOR FILED FEB. 3. 1905.

No. 824,107. v PATENTE'D TUNE 26, 1'906. R. A.. POWDEN.

AQUATIC AMUSEMBNT APPARATUS.V APPLIGATIoN FILED 2113.3. 1905'.

Y A 5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906.

R. A. POWDEN. AQUATIC AMUSEMBNT APPARATUS.

APYLIOATION FILED FEB. 3. 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

l llllaullll No. 824,107. PATENTED JUNE 26, 1906.

' R. A. FQWDEN.

AQUATIC AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLIUATION FILED FEB. s. 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

PATENTE!) JUNE 26, 1906.

R. A. FOWDEN. AQUATIC AMUSEMENT APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED PEB. 3. 1905.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

UNITED sTATEs PATENT oFrIoE.

ROBERT A. EowDEN, oF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA.

AQUATIC AMUSEMNT APPARATUS.

` Specification of Letters Patent.

. Application iiled February 3| 1905., Serial N0' 243,933'

To ZZrwi/o'm, it may concern:

Be it known that I, RQBERT A. FowDEN, a citizen ofthe United States, residing at the city jof Philadelphia, in the county'ofuPhilacarousal especiallyadapted'for pleasurea'nd othery resorts.

, f The principal objects of my invention are,

first, to provide means to move boats or other buoyant bodies forthe carryingof persons in a substantiallycircular path in a body of water within a reservoir and forming the course forl the travel of boats second, to provide n'lean'sfto` move thebuoyantbodies or boats 1 i laterally toward and away from a`landing to permit of theembarking and disembarking of persons to; and fromthe boats or the like; third, tofso connect the boats with actuating means as to permit 'of a free rocking and pitching movement thereof when desired;

fourth, to provide the revolving framework of the apparatus vi'ivith'means to permit" of the collection of vfares during the travel of the boats 'or the like in their circular'path within the body of watery of the reservoir, and, iifth, to'provide the reservoir with obstructions so asI to resist thefree movement ofthe water which 'is imparted to the'same by the boats or otherbodies in their movement in a pre-4k scribed 'patin Y v e My 'nventiom stated in general terms, consists of an aquatic amusement apparatus constructed and 'arranged in substantially the mannerhe'reinafter described and'cljaim'e'd.

The'nature, scope, and characteristic features of my invention will be more )fully understood from the,y following description, taken in' connection with the accompanying drawings, forming part hereof, in whichf Figure 1 isy a vlongitudinal sectional view of the aquatic amusement apparatus, illustratingi-nside elevation boats placed inabody of water confined in a reservoir and `arranged a structure, brackets connecting the Sallie witha revolving'fr'amework, and mechanism to move said boatstoward and yaway 'from a landing-place formed ofa platform which surrounds the reservoir embodying main features of,` my invention. Fig.Y 2 is a top or planview of aportion ofthe amuseinenten/ai Jane 26, 190e.

ment apparatus shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is ak detail view illustrating iny diagram andtop or plan view the arrangement vof boats respect toeach otherand their lateral movevments toward and away from a landingplace. S'Figs. 4 and 5 are detail views, enlarged, illustrating 'in side and front elevation a bracket connecting a boat with therevolving framework of, the` amusement. appa* ratus. Fig. 6 is adetail view, enlarged, illustrating in top or plan view and in section i mechanism to move the boats toward and away fromthe landing-place therefor; and

Fig. 7 is a'detailview, enlarged, illustrating in section and side` elevation mechanism to disconnect the mechanism moving the boats laterallyfrom the driving c mechanism therefor.

'Referring to the drawings, ais a reservoir of preferably` circular outline formed by horizontal'and vertical walls a and'az, constituting the bottom and side walls thereof, which walls may be constructed ofv any suitable material'.` The side wallsa,2 are surmountedby an overhanging'platformA a3, which may form the continuation of the flooring of a structure ','servingy as a landing-place, 'af portion of which has been shown in Fig. 1 and` which the lamusement Y apparatus is preferably housed. f

Centrally varranged within the 'reservoir a is a structure a4, which, in'conjunction with the bottomand side walls a! andaz, serves to form the reservoiraand to' confine a body of water' b therein, as shown in F 1,.' The level ofthe .body of water b is preferably slightly below the overhanging platform a5., l

which forms a landing-place for boats c, normally occupying a position midway between lthe landing-'place a3 and the structure'or platform a4. Each ofthe boats c employed is of the'usual construction, but is preferably rovided withram-prows c. and czfwhichw A en the boats are moved through the water serve t to raisey and' throw the same over and sidewise, and thus to effectually heighten the ef- IOC fects of a rapid movement of. the `boats' c through the water. In addition thereto each boat ispreferablylprovided with a projecting gunwale c3, which serves to contact with the landing-place a3, as will be' readily understood in conjunction with Fig. 1 vand which on account of itspwidth also aifordsa comfortable ,support for .the `feet ofi-persons duri-11g `Gmbefki'lfls vO1. diswill@arkrlg U0 and from the boats Whenthe Same'oecupy a posi- IIO tion adjacent tothe landing-place c3, as u shown in dotted lines in Fig. '3. The boats c may also be provided with a platform c4, upon which benches or chairs c5 are placed to accommodate timid persons objecting to climbing into and out of the boat. The overhanging gunwale c3 of the boats c, as well as the overhanging platform a3, affords a protected place for the mounting of lights c6 and a", which by being reflected in the water considerably heightens the spectacular effect of this amusement apparatus.

As shown in Figs. 3, 4, and 5, at each end of the boats c is arranged an eyepiece C8, through which loosely passes a rod d of a V- shaped arm d, two of which, united by angleirons d2 at their free ends, form a bracket d8,

which by means of rollers da, engaging channel-irons e', are connected with a movable framework e of the amusement apparatus, to be presently more fully described. Above and below the eye 08 of the boat c on the rods d are arranged adjustable collars d5 and d, between which the eyes c8 may freely move to permit a pitching movement of the boat when passing through the water, in addition to a rolling movement, which is freely permitted by the fiat eyes 08, loosely surrounding the bolts CZ of the bracket ds. If, however, such pitching and rolling movements of the boats are not desired, the same may be rigidly clamped to the rods d by bringing the collars d5 and de thereof into engagement with the eye e8 and then bolting the same to the rods d. The boats c may carry any numjber of persons without danger of being swamped, since in case of an overload the framework e, by means of the brackets d8, will readily support the boats in the water and in this manner render the same at all times perfectly safe. The V-shaped or triangular arms d of the brackets d8, owing to their construction, effectually resist the centrifugal force tending to move the boats c towardthe landingplace a3 when traveling through the water and also will move the same forward with any speed desired.

As shown in Figs. l and 2, the revolving framework e of the amusement apparatus preferably consists of channel-irons e', connected at their free ends and with each other by channel-irons e2 and e3, forming an octagon of irregular outline. Within the intersection of the channel-iron e is arranged a plate e4, which, by means of a flanged collar e5, connects the inner portion of the framework e with a shaftf, as shown in Fig. 7 The outer ends of the framework e are supported by rods e, secured to a collar f of the shaft j,

which is securely connected to the structure A and held in vertical position therein by bearings g and g', as shown in Fig. l. The shaft f and framework e, carried by the same, ymay be rotated by any suitable source of power, among others by a motor 7L, mounted on the platform a4, which drives the shaft f by means of a pinion h meshing with a gearwheelfz, rigidly secured to the shaftf. When the framework is rotated, its movement by means of the brackets d8 is transmitted to the boats c, which are moved by the same in a eircular path in the body of water Z), preferably -midway between the landing a and platform a4.

In order to permit of the ready embarking and disembarking of persons desirous of taking a ride in the boats c, the same are moved toward and away from the landing aj during the travel thereof by the following preferred mechanism. Each of the brackets d8, by means of clamps i, is secured to an endless cable or chain t', passing over sheaf-wheels if and i3, carried by shafts if and i5, one of which, i4, is secured to a channel-iron e2 and the other, i5, to the plate .e4 of the framework c by means of brackets es. As shown in Figs. 1 and 7, the shafts i5 are rotated by pinions t, meshing with a gear-wheel 7c', secured to a sleeve k2, loosely mounted on the shaft The sleeve 762 at its lower end is provided with a gear-wheel 7c3, which by means of a pinion kt, meshing therewith, receives a rotary movement in either direction from a motor 7c or any other suitable source of power independent of the shaft f. By the rotary movement imparted to the shafts t5 the cables or chains i', by means of the sheaf-wheels t3, will be moved, and the boats c, connected therewith by means of the brackets d8, will be shifted laterally and radially toward the landing a from the position shown in full lines into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. After this position has been reached the movement of the motors 7c and 7L is stopped in any suitable manner (not shown) to permit persons occupying the boats c to freely and safely leave the same. After the boats have been again occupied both motors 7L and k are started, and the same are moved forward and sidewise into the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, after which the same will be moved in a substantially prescribed circular path. It will be understood, however, that the boats may be moved into any position intermediate or close to the landing e or inner platform a and that one or more of the boats may be kept in such a position independent of the lateral movements of the other boats by un.- coupling the respective sheaf-wheels ii from their shafts i5. For this purpose each of the shafts 'i5 is provided with a sleeve i7, which by means of an arm is, resting on the plate c4, is brought into and out of engagement with the sheaf-wheel t3, as shown in Fig. 3. This arrangement of disconnecting a sheaf-wheel 'i3 from its actuating-shaft i5 permits of a withdrawal of one or more of the boats c from service and of repair of the same without in the least interfering with the operation of the boats c remaining in action.

As shown in Fig. (i, that portion of the IOO in alinement with the central axis of the shaftV f, so as to permit of a direct lateral and radial movement of the boats c when moved toward andV away from the landing a3. In.` order to permit of the free and unobstructed collection offares and without any loss of time in doing so, the revolving framework e is rovided with an annular platform l, from W ich an attendant with the aid of an implement (not shown) may reach any of the persons occupying a seat in any of the boatsand collect the fares. The platform 'a1 is preferably provided with a superstructure m, the roof m of which forms a receptacle for water,

which is pumped into the same from-the reservoir a by `means of a pump-aand pipes n. From this receptacle m the 'wateris permitted yto overflow and by its descent over the walls of the superstructure m forms a fountain, which is preferably illuminated by lights o, secured tothe superstructure and over which the water is conducted by sheet metal p, bent into a shape to imitate rocks `and the like, as shown in Fig. 1.

In order to prevent the free movement of the water in the reservoir a, which movement is produced by the boats traveling in a certain direction therein, the bottom a', as well as the side walls a2 of the reservoir a, are provided with obstructions, which in the present instance consists of strips r, placed radially with respect to the shaft f, as shown in Figs. l and 3. These strips r efficiently resist the free movement of the water and Ilimit the same to such an extent as to be considerably less than the speedk of the boats irrespective ofthe length of time the same are moved through vthe water. f

Having thus described the nature and objects of my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure byv Letters Patent, is-

1. In an aquatic amusement apparatus, a

reservoir adapted to contain a body of water,

buoyant bodies locatedin said body of water, a shaft arranged in said reservoir, a framework carried by said shaft and held by the same a certain distance above said body of water, means slidably arranged on said framework and extending downward to said body of water to engage said buoyant bodies and to move the same through said body of water in a circular path and laterally therein.

2. In an-aquatic amusement apparatusha reservoir adapted to contain a body of water, buoyant bodies located therein, a shaft arranged in said reservoir, a framework carried by said shaft4 and held by the same a certain distance above said body .of water, means carried by said framework and extending downward to said body of water to engage said buoyant bodies at opposite ends so as to prevent sinking of the same in said body of water when overloaded, means for rotating ,said shaft and frameworkto move by said extending means said buoyant bodies in a substantially circular path in said body of water and means for shifting said extending means on said frameworkto move said bodies laterally in said water.

3. In an aquatic amusement apparatus, a reservoir adapted to contain a body of water, buoyant bodies located therein, a shaft arranged in said reservoir, a framework carried by said shaft and held by the same a certain distance above said body of water, means carried by said framework and extending downward to said body of vwater to engage said buoyant bodies at opposite ends so'asto prevent sinking ,of the same by limiting the downward movement of said bodies inthe water, means adapted to rotate said shaft and framework to move by said extending vmeans said buoyant bodiesk in a substantially circular path in the water of said reservoir, and means to independently actuate said extending means radially on said framework so as to move by the same said buoyant bodies laterally in the water of said reservoir.

4. In an aquatic amusementapparatus, a reservoir adapted to, contain a body of water, boats adapted to be placed therein, a landingplatform surrounding said reservoir, a shaft arranged in said reservoir, a framework carried by said shaft, brackets carried by said framework and adapted to connect the same with said boa-ts, a'movable cable connected with each of said brackets and adapted when actuatedto shift the same laterally and radially with respect to said shaft on said framework so as to move said "boats` toward and away from said landing-platform, and means adapted to actuate said cable.

5.- In an aquatic amusement apparatus, a reservoir adapted to contain a body of water, boats adapted tobe placed therein, a landingplace for the same surrounding said reservoir, a shaftarranged in said reservoir, a framework carried by said shaft, brackets carried by said framework and adapted to connect IOO the same with said boats, a cable connected with each of said brackets, a driving mechanism for each of vsaid cables carried by said framework, means adapted to rotate said shaft and framework to movesaid boats in the reservoir in a substantially circular path IZO ISO

brackets slidably. arranged on said frame- Y' reservoir adapted to contain a body of water,

work and having rods, means connected with each of said boats and adapted to loosely engage said rods, and means arranged on said rods adapted to rigidly clamp the boats thereto by engaging the connecting means thereof.

In an aquatic amusement apparatus, a reservoir adapted to contain a body of water, boats adapted to be placed therein, a shaft arranged in said reservoir, a framework carried by said shaft, brackets carried by said framework and adapted to4 connect the same with said boats means adapted to rotate said shaft and framework so as to move said boats in a substantially circular path by said brackets, in combination with means arranged in said reservoir adapted to resist free movement of the water, when set in motion by said boats.

8. In an aquatic amusement apparatus, a

boats adapted to be placed therein, a shaft arranged in said reservoir, a franlework carried by said shaft, brackets carried by said framework and adapted to connect the same with said boats, means adapted to rotate said shaft and framework to move said boats in a substantially circular path by said brackets in said reservoir7 in combination with strips secured to the bottom and sides of said reservoir and radially disposed with respect to said shaft to resist free movement of the water, when set in motion by said boats.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my signature in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ROBERT A. FOVVDEN. Witnesses J. WALTER DoUeLAss, THOMAS M. SMITH. 

